Monoamine oxidase A and B: a useful concept?

Inactivation of monoamines by the lung

Inactivation of monoamines was the first pharmacokinetic property of lung to be identified. For some amines inactivation in perfused lung but not in liver is limited by uptake. Inactivation of beta-phenylethylamine in lung is limited not by uptake but by the activity of intracellular monoamine oxidase. The uptake of this amine is like that of basic drugs such as amphetamine and propranolol. Changes in the external environment of the lung (exposure in vivo to gaseous anaesthetics or to high concentrations of oxygen, greater than 95%) change amine inactivation processes in lung. The oestrous cycle and administration of ovarian steroids also affect the inactivation of 5-hydroxytryptamine and phenylethylamine. Monoamine oxidase activity in lung homogenates is highest at met- and lowest at pro-oestrus for both substrates. However, in perfused lung, inactivation is better correlated with variations in uptake. Therefore the main effect of the oestrous cycle is on uptake rather than on enzymic activity. Uptake processes are thus crucial determinants of monoamine activation in lung and the pharmacokinetic properties of lung are capable of responding to changes in its internal or external environment.

Substrate selectivity of monoamine oxidase A, monoamine oxidase B, diamine oxidase, and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase in COS-1 expression systems

The substrate selectivity of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), diamine oxidase (DAO), and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) was investigated in the absence of chemical inhibitors using the COS-1 cells expressed with respective amine oxidase. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), 1-methylhistamine, and histamine were preferentially oxidized by MAO-A, SSAO, and DAO, respectively, at a low substrate concentration. In contrast, benzylamine, tyramine, and beta-phenylethylamine served as substrates for all of MAO-A, MAO-B, and SSAO. Each amine oxidase showed broad substrate selectivity at a high substrate concentration. The cross-inhibition was remarkable in MAO-A and MAO-B, especially in MAO-A, but not in SSAO and DAO. A study of the substrate selectivity of amine oxidases should include consideration of the effects of substrate concentration and specific chemical inhibitors.

Comparative effects of dehydropirlindole and other compounds on rat brain monoamine oxidase type A

Dehydropirlindole (DHP) is the dehydroderivative of pirlindole, a short-acting inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A). DHP would be formed in vivo from oxidation of pirlindole by MAO-A. The aim of this work is to compare the inhibitory potency of DHP with three reference compounds: harmaline, befloxatone and clorgyline; the two former are reversible inhibitors and the later is an irreversible inhibitor of MAO-A. Both in vitro and ex vivo assays were performed on rat brain homogenates, and IC50 and ID50 were calculated by a fluorometric method with octopamine as selective MAO-A substrate. In vitro clorgyline and befloxatone were more potent inhibitors than DHP and harmaline with IC50 values of 1.6 and 7.7 nM vs. 40 and 55 nM; ex vivo ID50 values were 1.5 and 32 micromol/kg vs. 41 and 49 micromol/kg. Befloxatone had an ID50/IC50 ratio four to five times higher than DHP and harmaline. Preincubation time experiments did not distinguish befloxatone from DHP and harmaline. In conclusion, this study shows that DHP behaves as a reversible MAO-A inhibitor whose potency is situated between that of befloxatone and harmaline.

Amine oxidase substrates mimic several of the insulin effects on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3 F442A cells

We have previously reported that substrates of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) exert short-term insulin-like effects in rat adipocytes, such as stimulation of glucose transport. In the present work, we studied whether these substrates could also mimic long-term actions of insulin. Adipose differentiation of 3T3 F442A cells, which is highly insulin-dependent, served as a model to test the effects of sustained administration of amine oxidase substrates. Daily treatment of confluent cells with 0.75 mM tyramine (a substrate of MAO and SSAO) or benzylamine (a substrate of SSAO) over 1 week caused the acquisition of typical adipocyte morphology. The stimulation of protein synthesis and triacylglycerol accumulation caused by tyramine or benzylamine reached one half of that promoted by insulin. This effect was insensitive to pargyline (an MAO inhibitor), but was inhibited by semicarbazide (an SSAO inhibitor) and by N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant agent), suggesting the involvement of the H(2)O(2) generated during SSAO-dependent amine oxidation. Chronic administration of amine oxidase substrates also induced the emergence of adipose conversion markers, such as aP2, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, the glucose transporter GLUT4, and SSAO itself. Moreover, cells treated with amines acquired the same insulin sensitivity regarding glucose transport as adipocytes classically differentiated with insulin. In all, most of the adipogenic effects of amines were additive to insulin. Our data reveal that amine oxidase substrates partially mimic the adipogenic effect of insulin in cultured preadipocytes. Furthermore, they suggest that SSAO not only represents a novel late marker of adipogenesis, but could also be directly involved in the triggering of terminal adipocyte differentiation.

Selegiline and desmethylselegiline stimulate NGF, BDNF, and GDNF synthesis in cultured mouse astrocytes

We investigated the effects of selegiline and desmethylselegiline on synthesis of neurotrophic factors in cultured mouse astrocytes. Treatment with 2 mM selegiline for 24 h increased the contents of NGF, BDNF, and GDNF in the culture medium 26-, 1.7-, and 4.2-fold over the control, respectively. With this drug the maximum relative mRNA levels of NGF, BDNF, and GDNF were 6.2-fold at 2 h, 3.4-fold at 6 h, and 2.7-fold at 2 h, respectively. Selegiline at 0.2 mM completely inhibited the MAO activity, but had no effect on the content of neurotrophic factors, suggesting that stimulation of neurotrophic factors by selegiline is independent of MAO-B inhibition. Desmethylselegiline at 1.68 mM for 24 h elevated the NGF, BDNF, and GDNF contents 4.1-, 1.7-, and 2.4-fold over the control, respectively; and the relative transcript levels of NGF, BDNF, and GDNF reached 2.6-fold at 2 h, 1.7-fold at 6 h, and 1.8-fold at 2 h, respectively. These findings suggest that selegiline and desmethylselegiline may protect neurons by up-regulating endogenous NGF, BDNF, and GDNF synthesis.

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity during surgical intervention under condition of hypothermic perfusion

Platelet and plasma monoamine oxidase activity was determined at early stages of hypothermic perfusion and circulatory arrest. Monoamine oxidase activity decreased more drastically and restored more slowly against the background of deep (14 degrees C) compared to moderate hypothermia (26-29 degrees C). The decrease in platelet monoamine oxidase activity was accompanied by its increase in the plasma, which attests to mechanical (in tubes) and toxic damage to platelets. The latter is associated with increased partial O(2) pressure in the plasma during hypothermia, which promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species.

Characterization of monoamine oxidase isoforms in human islets of Langerhans

In this paper, we describe the characterization of the expression of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in whole pancreas and in isolated islets of Langerhans from human. Classical monamine oxidase activity assays reveal that both isoforms A & B are present in human pancreas. Two complementary approaches indicated that both MAO A and B are expressed in isolated islet: RT-PCR using specific primers revealed amplification products with the expected size for MAO-A and MAO-B: two peptides corresponding to MAO A (approximately 61 kDa) and B (approximately 55 kDa) were detected using a polyclonal anti MAO-A/MAO-B antiserum. Western blotting and subsequent densitometric analysis indicate that whole and endocrine pancreas express the two isoforms with different relative proportions. Islets appear to express almost twice as much MAO protein as whole pancreas, in near equal proportions of the two isoforms, whereas whole pancreas expresses more MAO-A than the B isoform. The expression of MAO A and B in islets could be the first step toward the characterization of the functional properties of these enzymes in the endocrine pancreas.

[18F]Fluoro-beta-fluoromethylene-m-tyrosine derivatives show stereo, geometrical, and regio specificities as in vivo central dopaminergic probes in monkeys

Stereo (D and L), geometrical (E and Z), and regiospecific (2-, 4-, and 6-[18F]fluoro) analogs of beta-fluoromethylene-m-tyrosine (FMMT) have been investigated in adult vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus, n = 12) in vivo with positron emission tomography (PET). Brain transport through the blood-brain barrier and central aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD)-mediated decarboxylation rates were established. Results show strict structural dependency of the kinetic behavior of radiofluorinated FMMT analogs, with the E-isomer exhibiting a higher specificity over the (Z) geometrical counterpart for central dopaminergic structures. The 6-[18F]fluoro substituted L-(E)-FMMT was also favored over the 2- and 4-[18F]fluorosubstituted isomers in terms of their ability to localize in the same brain areas. The role of PET in drug development is also exemplified in this work.

Monoamine oxidase activities in human cystic and colonic arteries--influence of age

The deamination of 5-hydroxytryptamine, phenylethylamine and benzylamine by monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and B) and semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) respectively has been studied in homogenates of human cystic and colonic arteries by radiochemical assays. In cystic artery the deamination is mainly carried out by SSAO with a lower participation of MAO-B. The kinetic parameters were: to MAO-B the Vmax = 15.11 +/- 0.51 nmol/mg protein.h and the Km = 78.51 +/- 5.16 microM (+/- SE) and to SSAO the Vmax = 211.70 +/- 8.75 nmol/mg protein.h and the Km = 211.51 +/- 23.27 microM (+/- SE). We could not measure MAO-A activity in our experimental conditions and also the levels of catecholamines are very low and the histological studies show a poor innervation in these tissues. In colonic artery the kinetic parameters were: to MAO-B the Vmax = 5.09 +/- 0.31 nmol/mg protein.h and the Km = 29.12 +/- 4.55 microM (+/- SE) and to SSAO the Vmax = 273.67 +/- 8.35 nmol/mg protein.h and the Km = 197.89 +/- 21.81 microM (+/- SE). In this artery we could find MAO-A in five among the nine samples studied and the kinetic parameters were: the Vmax = 14.48 +/- 0.82 nmol/mg protein.h and the Km = 136.40 +/- 25.46 microM. As we have performed the experiments with human vessels from donors with different age we could not find any relationship between the activity or affinity, in MAO-B and SSAO, with age. Nevertheless, the results show in cystic artery an increase in the affinity of MAO-B with age when we consider the female group which suggests a possible role of the hormonal condition in this behaviour.

Selegiline enhances NGF synthesis and protects central nervous system neurons from excitotoxic and ischemic damage

It has been previously demonstrated that selegiline, an irreversible monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, potentiates glial reaction to injury and possesses some 'trophic-like' activities which do not depend on the inhibition of MAO-B and which are probably associated with the induction of astrocyte-derived neurotrophic substances. Based on these findings, we tried to find out whether selegiline is able to modify the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and to protect central nervous system (CNS) neurons from excitotoxic and ischemic damage. Selegiline (10 pM-1 nM) induced NGF messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in cultured rat cortical astrocytes as determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by a corresponding increase in NGF protein content measured by two-site NGF-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in astrocyte-conditioned medium. Additionally, exposure of hippocampal cultures containing neuronal and glial cells to this drug at the same concentrations enhanced significantly the content of NGF measured in the culture medium after 6 h of incubation. We hypothesize that selegiline could rescue hippocampal neurons from injury by induction of astrocyte-derived NGF in this cell culture system. To test this hypothesis, an excitotoxic damage was induced in the same type of cells by exposure to 0.5 mM L-glutamate for 1 h. Selegiline (10 pM-1 nM) present in the growth medium 6 h before until 18 h after induction of injury (the point of glutamate-toxicity measurement) protected hippocampal neurons from excitotoxic death. Furthermore, administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) (8 x 15 mg/kg per day) this drug enhanced the expression of NGF message in intact rat cerebral cortex and protected rat cortical tissue from ischemic insult due to permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The neuroprotective activity of selegiline (5 x 10 mg/kg per day i.p.) was also demonstrated in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. The present data show that selegiline induced NGF expression in cultured rat cortical astrocytes. In mixed primary cultures of hippocampal neuronal and glial cells, selegiline increased NGF protein content and protected hippocampal neurons from excitotoxic degeneration. In vivo, this drug induced NGF gene expression in cerebral cortex from intact rats and protected rat and mouse cortical tissue from ischemic insult after occlusion of the MCA. Our results indicate that the induction of astrocyte-derived NGF could contribute to the neuroprotective activity of selegiline demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro and can explain, in part, the 'trophic-like' properties of this compound which has been observed by others.

Identification of a region important for human monoamine oxidase B substrate and inhibitor selectivity

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B are flavoenzymes that catalyze the oxidative deamination of biogenic and xenobiotic amines. To search for domains that confer substrate and inhibitor selectivities, two chimeric proteins were constructed and expressed in yeast. The kinetic constants and IC50 values were determined for these chimeric enzymes using MAO-A/B selective substrates and inhibitors. Replacement of MAO-A amino acids 161-375 with the corresponding region of MAO-B, termed AB(161-375)A, converted MAO-A catalytic properties to MAO-B like ones. The specificity constants (k(cat)/K(m))for the oxidation of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) (1.6 x 10(5) s-1 M-1) and benzylamine (2.4 x 10(4) s-1 M-1) by AB (161-375)A were similar to wild-type MAO-B (PEA, 8 x 10(5)s(-1) M(-1); benzylamine, 4.9 x 10(4) s(-1) M(-1). Serotonin (5-HT), a preferred substrate for MAO-A, was not oxidized by AB(161-375)A or wild-type MAO-B. Furthermore, (AB161-375)A was more sensitive to the MAO-B specific inhibitor deprenyl (IC50 2.7 +/- 0.4 x 10(-8) M) than to the MAO-A specific inhibitor clorgyline (IC50 5.4 +/- 0.8 x 10(-7) M). However, the reciprocal chimera in which a MAO-B segment was replaced with the corresponding region of MAO-A, termed ++(+BA152-366B), lacked catalytic activity. The lack of catalytic activity was not due to aberrant expression but rather an inactive protein as demonstrated by Western blot analysis. These results demonstrate that MAO-B amino acids 152-366 contain a domain(s) that confers substrate and inhibitor selectivity.

Inhibitory effect of NaCl on hog kidney mitochondrial membrane-bound monoamine oxidase: pH and temperature dependences

For a further understanding of the inhibitory effect of NaCl on hog kidney mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO), the activity for benzylamine as substrate was assayed spectrophotometrically in the absence and presence of NaCl for mitochondrial outer membrane preparations as well as whole mitochondria. The effect of CaCl2 was also examined for comparison. The inhibition by NaCl but not CaCl2 was strongly pH dependent. The pH dependence of the inhibitory effect of NaCl in phosphate buffer was parallel to the pH dependence of the MAO activity itself. The point at which the slope of the Arrhenius plot in the absence of NaCl decreases with increasing temperature was to be 32.3 degrees C at pH 7.0 and 30.4 degrees C at pH 7.5 in phosphate buffer, while the Arrhenius plot in the presence of NaCl exhibited discontinuities without change in the slope in small temperature ranges, 39.2 degrees C-40.0 degrees C and 33.0 degrees C-34.2 degrees C. It was estimated that the inhibitory effect of NaCl was due to a pH and temperature sensitive cooperative state change involving MAO protein and boundary lipids, while the effect of CaCl2 could be induced by specific Ca2+ binding to acidic phospholipids.

Effect of aluminium (Al) on brain mitochondrial monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) activity--an in vitro kinetic study

Effect of aluminium (Al) on rat brain mitochondrial monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) was studied in vitro at three different pH (4.0, 7.4 and 9.0) values. The results have shown that Al is a non-competitive inhibitor for MAO-A. The data also showed that MAO-A inhibition by Al varies with free Al3+ concentration and different forms of Al under different pH conditions. Al altered the maximum velocity (Vmax) of MAO-A but did not affect substrate-enzyme affinity (Km). Al formed a strong chelation with the substrate (Kynuramine) (1:1).

Effects of monoamine oxidase A inhibition on plasma biogenic amine metabolites in depressed patients

The main metabolites of noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively--were estimated in plasma of 21 depressed patients before and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment with the monoamine oxidase-type A (MAO-A) inhibitor moclobemide (mean final daily dose = 8.9 mg/kg body weight). The treatment caused significant mean reductions in plasma MHPG and HVA (46% and 30%, respectively), while plasma 5-HIAA was unchanged. Multiple regression analysis revealed associations between reductions in MHPG and changes on the anxiety-somatization factor of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and between reductions in HVA and changes in the HRSD factors cognitive disturbance and retardation.

Activities of monoamine oxidase-A and -B are altered in the brains of congenitally hyperammonemic sparse-fur (spf) mice

Activities of monoamine oxidases, MAOA and MAOB, were measured using radiometric assays in different brain regions of the sparse-fur (spf/Y) mouse, a model of congenital hyperammonemia resulting from an X-chromosomal defect of ornithine transcarbamylase. MAOA activities were decreased in cerebellum (by 23%, P < 0.05) and brainstem (by 16%, P < 0.05) of spf mice; activities of MAOB were concomitantly increased in cerebellum (by 22%, P < 0.05), brainstem (by 20%, P < 0.05) and cerebral cortex (by 22%, P < 0.05). These findings offer a rational explanation for previous findings of increased acidic metabolites of monoamines in the brain of spf mice. Altered monoaminergic function could be a key factor in the pathogenesis of neurological dysfunction in congenital hyperammonemias.

Psychiatric genetics. Misbehaving monoamine oxidase gene

A nonsense mutation in the X-linked monoamine oxidase A gene has been associated with sex-linked aggressive behaviour.

The effect of L-deprenyl on behavior, cognitive function, and biogenic amines in the dog

Behavioral and pharmacological effects of oral administration of L-deprenyl in the dog are described. Spontaneous behavior is unaffected at doses below 3 mg/kg while at higher doses there was stereotypical responding. There was evidence of improved cognitive function in animals chronically treated with a 1 mg/kg dose but the effectiveness varied considerably between subjects. Chronic administration produced a dose dependent inhibition in brain, kidney and liver monoamine oxidase B, and had no effect on monoamine oxidase A. There were also dose dependent increases in brain phenylethylamine and in plasma levels of amphetamine. Dog platelets did not have significant levels of MAO-B. Brain dopamine and serotonin metabolism were unaffected by L-deprenyl at doses up to 1 mg/kg. It appears that for the dog, deamination of catecholamines is controlled by MAO-A. Nevertheless, it is suggested that L-deprenyl serves as a dopaminergic agonist, and there is also evidence that it affects adrenergic transmission. These catecholaminergic actions may account for the effects of L-deprenyl on behavior and cognitive function.

Glucose modulation of islet monoamine oxidase activity in lean and obese hyperglycemic mice

Islet beta-cell monoamines are known to influence the insulin-releasing mechanisms. These amines are localized in the insulin-secretory granules and are inactivated by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO), a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-generating enzyme. The activity of islet MAO may consequently be of importance for insulin secretion. In the present investigation, we studied the relation between islet MAO activity and plasma levels of insulin and glucose in obese (ob/ob) hyperglycemic mice and their lean littermates. In addition, the effect of glucose on the MAO activity of in vitro-cultured islets was studied. MAO activity was assayed with serotonin, dopamine (DA), and beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) as substrates. After an overnight fast in adult (age, 6 months) lean mice, islet MAO activity was increased by 35% to 70%. Plasma levels of glucose and insulin were markedly decreased as expected. However, fasting in adult obese mice either did not affect islet MAO activity (PEA and DA) or induced a slight decrease (serotonin) of approximately 25% (P < .05). Plasma glucose levels in adult obese mice were not significantly affected by the overnight fast. However, a correlation analysis based on individual adult obese mice (fed and fasted) showed a negative correlation between plasma glucose concentration and islet MAO activity with PEA (r = -.65, P < .02) and DA (r = -.66, P < .02), respectively. Further, a positive correlation (r = +.58, P < .05) was found between glucose level and islet MAO activity when using serotonin as substrate. There was no difference in islet MAO activity with PEA and DA as substrates in fed obese versus fed lean mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzyme properties of monoamine oxidase in the frontal cortex and liver of the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

1. Enzyme properties of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the frontal cortex and liver of the gerbil were investigated using 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), benzylamine (Bz) and tyramine (Tyr) as substrates. 2. The Km values of MAO towards the three substrates were almost similar to the values in other species. The Vmax value of MAO towards Bz was much lower than the value towards 5-HT. 3. In the inhibition studies with selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors, clorgyline and deprenyl, deamination of 5-HT, Bz and Tyr in both tissues was induced by MAO-A alone, MAO-B alone and both forms of the enzyme, respectively, indicating the same substrate specificity as that in rats. 4. The apparent proportion of MAO-A to MAO-B activities in the gerbil liver was approximately 6:4, whereas MAO-A in the frontal cortex of the gerbil was exclusively predominant, consistent with the previous data in the golden hamster which belongs to the same family as the gerbil.

Effects of adrenergic and cholinergic stimulation on islet monoamine oxidase activity and insulin secretion in the mouse

It has been shown that the pancreatic beta-cell monoamines are located in the secretory granules, and that they have an inhibitory influence on insulin secretion. Monoamines are inactivated by the enzyme, monoamine oxidase. We now studied in vivo the relation between adrenergic and cholinergic stimulation, insulin secretion and islet monoamine oxidase activity in the mouse. Monoamine oxidase was assayed with three different substrates, serotonin, dopamine and beta-phenylethylamine. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, clonidine, induced a moderate inhibition (12-18%) of islet monoamine oxidase activity, accompanied by reduced plasma insulin and elevated plasma glucose levels. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, did not induce any changes in these parameters. A marked insulin release following the injection of a maximal dose of the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, terbutaline, was accompanied by an increase (30-50%) in islet monoamine oxidase activity. The largest increase in monoamine oxidase activity was observed with serotonin as substrate (50%). These effects on insulin secretion and monoamine oxidase activity could not be blocked by clonidine. Similarly, injection of the non-selective alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, adrenaline, which unlike clonidine does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier, had no effect on insulin release induced by a maximal dose of the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline. Adrenaline, however, markedly suppressed the insulin release induced by a maximal dose of glucose. Cholinergic muscarinic stimulation by a maximal insulin releasing dose of carbachol did not affect islet monoamine oxidase activity. The results suggest that beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulation of islet monoamine oxidase activity reduced the monoamine content and thereby facilitated the release of insulin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Organization of the human monoamine oxidase genes and long-range physical mapping around them

A 265-kb yeast artificial chromosome containing sequences for human monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) genes has been characterized. These two genes are localized within a region of about 240 kb and are arranged in a tail-to-tail configuration, with the 3' coding sequences separated by about 50 kb. A region about 2.5 Mb around the MAO loci was mapped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Comparisons between the restriction maps derived from the YAC and the long-range map derived from genomic digestions were in general agreement. The important features identified include a CpG island at the 5' end of the MAO-A and MAO-B genes, respectively. The combined information supports the order of markers within this region to be DXS77-DXS7-MAOA-MAOB.

The molecular pharmacology of L-deprenyl

L-Deprenyl, the selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B), has gained wide acceptance as a useful form of adjunct therapeutic drug in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This review summarizes the molecular pharmacology of L-deprenyl, and the advances in our understanding of its possible mode of action in Parkinson's disease. L-Deprenyl belongs to the class of enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitors also described as 'suicide' inhibitors, because the compound acts as a substrate for the target enzyme, whose action on the compound results in irreversible inhibition. L-Deprenyl first of all forms a noncovalent complex with MAO as an initial, reversible step. The subsequent interaction of L-deprenyl with MAO leads to a reduction of the enzyme-bound flavin-adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and concomitant oxidation of the inhibitor. This oxidized inhibitor then reacts with FAD at the N-5-position in a covalent manner. The observed in vitro selectivity of L-deprenyl for MAO-B may be accounted for by differences in the affinities of the two MAO subtypes for reversible interaction with L-deprenyl, differences in the rates of reaction within the noncovalent complexes to form the irreversibly inhibited adduct, or a combination of both these factors. However, if selective inhibition is to be maintained in vivo, correct dosage schedules are critically important, since all selective MAO inhibitors described up to now lack selectivity at high doses. In experimental animals L-deprenyl is protective against the damaging effects of several neurotoxins, including the dopaminergic agents 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the noradrenergic neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4). Beside MAO-B inhibition, which above all explains the prevention of neurotoxic action of MPTP by preventing its metabolism, L-deprenyl appears to exhibit other mechanisms of action which are independent of its action on MAO-B.

Brain monoamine oxidase and aging: A review

The present state of research on the age-related dynamics of brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and its role in the development of age pathology is described. Special attention is given to the role of MAO in the pathogenesis of parkinsonism and to the mechanisms of its interaction with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a possible etiological factor of parkinsonism development in aging. The mechanisms of action of the selective MAO-B inhibitor, deprenyl, and their peculiarities in old age are analyzed. This study provides evidence pointing to a need for the use of deprenyl in geriatric practice as an effective drug for parkinsonism treatment and as a potent geroprotector.

Toxicity of MPTP and structural analogs in clonal cell lines of neuronal origin expressing B type monoamine oxidase activity

The toxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), its oxidized metabolite, and two recently synthesized 2'-alkyl derivatives of MPTP (methyl and ethyl), found to be more toxic in vivo in mice, have been compared in two neuroblastoma hybrid cell lines (NCB-20 and 140-3) that express the B form of monoamine oxidase (MAO), as tissue culture models for the mode of action of MPTP in the central nervous system. Unlike previously reported studies with cultured cells of neuronal origin expressing only MAO A, both of these cell lines were sensitive to MPTP. Consistent with the in vivo findings, the 2'-alkyl derivatives were much more toxic than MPTP and comparable to the oxidized metabolite MPP+ in their effects on cell survival and morphology. The cells could be protected against the reduced toxins, but not MPP+, by either the MAO A selective inhibitor, clorgyline or the MAO B selective inhibitor, deprenyl. The effectiveness of the MAO inhibitors in blocking the action of the reduced toxins was consistent with their ability to inhibit MAO activity in the cell cultures, but did not reflect MAO-substrate specificity of the toxins. Inhibitors of serotonin and dopamine uptake, which have been found to protect against MPTP toxicity in vivo, were generally ineffective in the cell cultures, with the exception of a marginal increase in survival of MPP(+)-treated 140-3 cells in the presence of the serotonin uptake inhibitor fluoxetine. These findings are discussed in relation to proposed in vivo mechanisms of MPTP cytotoxicity.

Human monoamine oxidase A and B genes exhibit identical exon-intron organization

Monoamine oxidases A and B [MAOA and MAOB; amine:oxygen oxidoreductase (deaminating) (flavin-containing), EC 1.4.3.4] play important roles in the metabolism of neuroactive, vasoactive amines and the Parkinsonism-producing neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Human MAOA and MAOB genes isolated from X chromosome-specific libraries span at least 60 kilobases, consist of 15 exons, and exhibit identical exon-intron organization. Exon 12 codes for the covalent FAD-binding-site and is the most conserved exon; the MAOA and MAOB exon 12 products share 93.9% peptide identity. These results suggest that MAOA and MAOB are derived from duplication of a common ancestral gene and provide insight on the structural/functional relationship of the enzyme products.

Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by two substrate-analogues, with different preferences for 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons

Various intraperitoneal doses of 5-fluoro-alpha-methyltryptamine (5-FMT), given to mice, dose-dependently inhibited only MAOA activity, with similar degrees of inhibition in the striatum, hypothalamus and the rest of the forebrain. The activity inhibited in these regions, completely recovered to control levels within 24 hr after the injection. In contrast, p-chloro-beta-methylphenethylamine (p-CMP), selectively inhibited MAOB activity, with complete recovery within 45 min after the injection. Regardless of the differences in time interval and degree of inhibition of MAOA by 5-FMT or MAOB by p-CMP, both kinds of inhibition were competitive, with respect to oxidation of the respective substrate. 5-Fluoro-alpha-methyltryptamine markedly protected only MAOA against inhibition by phenelzine, without protecting MAOB. Also, 5-FMT greatly increased one kind of animal behaviour, the head-twitch and this behaviour was greatly reduced by treatment with fluoxetine, but increased by reserpine. The results indicate that p-CMP is a short-acting, probably reversible, MAOB-selective inhibitor and 5-FMT has the same characteristics of selectivity for MAOA in central serotonergic neurons.

[3H]harman binding experiments. II: Regional and subcellular distribution of specific [3H]harman binding and monoamine oxidase subtypes A and B activity in marmoset and rat

[3H]Harman (1-[3H]methyl-beta-carboline) was used in a novel radioligand binding assay to label selectively and with high affinity monoamine oxidase (MAO) type A. The concentration of the enzyme was determined in six CNS regions of the primate species marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and of the rat: hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, striatum, and spinal cord. The specific [3H]harman binding in the CNS of the marmoset reveals the same pharmacological profile and other characteristics (affinity, saturability, and reversibility) as in the CNS of the rat. The regional distribution of the [3H]harman binding density (Bmax) in the CNS exhibits a distinct pattern in the marmoset and the rat and a 35 (hypothalamus) to 75% (hippocampus) lower Bmax in the marmoset than in the rat. The Bmax values of [3H]harman binding in the CNS of the marmoset and the rat combined as well as those from visceral organs of the rat (liver, heart, lung, thymus, spleen, and kidney) correlated positively and highly significantly with the respective Vmax values of specific MAO activity of the A type but not of the B type, determined with kynuramine as the substrate. In subcellular fractionation experiments with rat cerebral cortex, the highest [3H]harman binding density (Bmax) and MAO-A activity (Vmax) were detected in mitochondrial fractions and severalfold lower values in the synaptosomal membrane fraction. In conclusion, we suggest that [3H]harman binding is a biochemical tool as a selective marker to quantify MAO-A in the CNS of different mammalian species as well as in extraneuronal tissues.

Effect of acute starvation on monoamine oxidase and Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in rat brain

The activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO), responsible for oxidative deamination of many biogenic amines, and Na+, K(+)-ATPase, which plays a crucial role in the release mechanism of neurotransmitters, were determined in rat brain after acute starvation. They were assayed biochemically from four different regions of the brain in two subcellular fractions. Acute starvation decreased the activity of MAO, whereas the Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was increased. An effect of starvation was also seen on the blood glucose level, body wt, and the protein content of different brain regions. Starvation or normal dietary fluctuations of certain nutrients that exert precursor influence over neurotransmitter synthesis are important to the brain, and contribute to its regulation of both neuroendocrine response and behavior. A rise in the substrate level, i.e., ATP, as a result of increased utilization of ketone bodies and low level of monoamines in the brain after acute starvation, may be the underlying factor for increasing the activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in rat brain. These results suggest that, probably, certain adaptive mechanisms become operative in the brain under disturbed physiological conditions.

Biogenic amines, metabolites and monoamine oxidase in the filarial worm Setaria cervi

Analysis of biogenic monoamines and their metabolites in Setaria cervi adults by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed dopamine as the major monoamine followed by norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). 5-Hydroxy indole acetic acid and tryptophan were also detected in significant amounts. A particulate-bound monoamine oxidase (MAO, EC 1.4.3.4.) catalysing the oxidative deamination of several amines was also demonstrated in both microfilariae and adults. The enzyme from the parasites exhibited unusually high Km values for various monoamines. Dopamine was oxidized at the maximum rate while putrescine was not utilized as the substrate. MAO was predominantly associated with the mitochondrial fraction and concentrated mainly in the cuticle-muscle-hypodermis layer of the filariid. The enzyme was most active around pH 7.5 and 37 +/- 2 degrees C, relatively stable in the frozen state but was thermolabile. The specific MAO inhibitors, clorgyline and deprenyl, inhibited the enzyme with Ki values of 2 x 10(-7) M and 5 x 10(-6) M, respectively. Diethylcarbamazine, suramin, levamisole and centperazine significantly inhibited MAO activity. (The characteristics of the enzyme indicated that it may have a role in host-parasite interactions).

Inhibition of brain type A monoamine oxidase and 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake by two amphetamine metabolites, p-hydroxyamphetamine and p-hydroxynorephedrine

Two amphetamine metabolites, p-hydroxyamphetamine (p-OHA) and p-hydroxynorephedrine (p-OHN), selectively inhibited the A form of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in rat and mouse forebrain homogenates. Of these two metabolites, p-OHA inhibited MAO-A more strongly than p-OHN. This MAO-A-selective inhibition by p-OHA or p-OHN was found to be competitive with respect to deamination of its substrate, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The degree of MAO-A inhibition was not changed by 90 min of preincubation of the enzyme preparations with either metabolite, and the activity inhibited by p-OHA after the preincubation recovered completely to the control level after repeated washing. Uptake of 5-HT or dopamine into mouse forebrain synaptosomes was highly reduced by both p-OHA and p-OHN. Both metabolites were more potent in reducing dopamine uptake than in reducing 5-HT uptake. In reduction of 5-HT and of dopamine uptake, p-OHA was more potent than p-OHN. These results indicate that p-OHA is a more selective inhibitor of brain MAO-A activity and 5-HT uptake than its subsequent metabolite, p-OHN. These two actions of p-OHA might, together with possible 5-HT efflux into the synaptic cleft, greatly contribute to head twitch, a brain 5-HT-mediated animal behavior induced by p-OHA.

Oxidative deamination of noradrenaline in human blood vessels

Human vascular tissue (saphenous vein and uterine artery) was incubated with tritiated noradrenaline. In both vessels, oxidative deamination predominated over O-methylation. Deamination was due to the action of MAO type A and B, as well as of a semicarbazide-sensitive oxidase. Whereas DOPEG was a good index of intraneuronal deamination, NMN, DOMA and OMDA appeared to be entirely extraneuronal in origin. Extraneuronal deamination plays an important role in human vascular tissue and may contribute to the inactivation of circulating catecholamines.

Comparative studies on semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase in heart and plasma of rats treated with hepatotoxin allyl formate

1. After allyl formate (AF) was administered to the rats, the existence of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) in rat identified. 2. When the heart homogenate and plasma of AF-administered rat were pretreated with 10(-3) M clorgyline and deprenyl, the Km value for benzylamine of rat heart was same as the value of plasma. 3. The existence of SSAO in plasma of AF-administered rats were identified by IEF-gel electrophoresis. The pI values of SSAO in heart and plasma were a single peak of 5.0. 4. SSAO released from the rat heart in response to AF, although the other origins of this enzyme are unknown.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) of the rat aorta. Interactions with some naturally occurring amines and their structural analogues

The influence of a number of naturally occurring amines and their structural analogues has been examined on the metabolism of radiolabelled benzylamine (BZ) by the membrane bound semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) of the rat aorta. Only primary monoamines were effective in reducing the deamination of BZ. In the phenylethylamine series, addition of hydroxyl groups to the benzene ring decreased their potency as inhibitors while addition of a hydroxyl group at the beta position increased the inhibitory potency. Stereoselectivity of action was shown with octopamine, the L-isomer being the more active form. Kinetic analysis of these interactions showed predominantly competitive inhibition and kynuramine had the lowest Ki of 5.4 microM. The aliphatic monoamines, isoamylamine and isobutylamine both competed with BZ. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was the only amine that inhibited non-competitively. Direct evidence for metabolism by SSAO of some of the competing amines such as isoamylamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine and tryptamine was obtained by fluorimetric or radiochemical assays. The inhibitors clorgyline and (E)-2-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-fluoroallylamine (MDL 72145) were used to characterise the amine oxidase activity responsible for the deamination. Octopamine and phenylethanolamine (PeOH) were not SSAO substrates and inhibited BZ metabolism in the fluorimetric assay. It is possible that the activity of SSAO is controlled by octopamine released from sympathetic nerve endings or 5-HT released from platelets.

Deamination of aliphatic amines of different chain lengths by rat liver monoamine oxidase A and B

Monoamines with from 1 to 18 straight chain carbon atoms have been analysed as rat liver monoamine oxidase substrates. Methylamine and ethylamine are clearly not substrates of monoamine oxidase (MAO). n-Propylamine, n-butylamine, n-dodecylamine and n-octadecylamine are relatively poor substrates, i.e. with high Km and low Vmax values for the enzyme. n-Pentylamine, n-hexylamine, n-heptylamine, n-octylamine, n-nonylamine and n-decylamine are all very good MAO substrates. All these aliphatic amines are found to be typical type B substrates according to the sensitivities of the enzyme towards the selective MAO-B inhibitor selegiline and the MAO-A inhibitor, clorgyline. The sensitivity towards selegiline with respect to these amines is even higher, i.e. Ki = 1 x 10(-9) M for butylamine, than that of the typical type B substrate beta-phenylethylamine (Ki = 1 x 10(-8) M). The sensitivity towards selegiline decreases slightly with increasing chain length of these aliphatic amines.

Demonstration of monoamine oxidase-A and -B in the human brainstem by a histochemical technique

The distribution of both monoamine oxidase subtypes, monoamine oxidase-A and -B, is demonstrated in brainstems from 16 humans by use of a histochemical technique. The results presented here, focus primarily upon the aminergic areas of the substantia nigra, the locus coeruleus and the raphe nuclei. While dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra revealed no staining for monoamine oxidase, noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus stained positively with the monoamine oxidase-A substrate serotonin, and serotonergic neurons of the raphe nuclei were stained by the monoamine oxidase-B substrate beta-phenylethylamine. In addition, data are presented showing that glial cells stain predominantly for monoamine oxidase-B.

Topographic immunocytochemical mapping of monoamine oxidase-A, monoamine oxidase-B and tyrosine hydroxylase in human post mortem brain stem

Immunocytochemical demonstration of monoamine oxidase-A, monoamine oxidase-B and tyrosine hydroxylase was performed in the human brain stem using monoclonal antibodies to monoamine oxidase-A and monoamine oxidase-B and polyclonal antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase. In most of the brain areas examined, except the serotonergic dorsal nucleus of raphe, the noradrenergic locus coeruleus and the dorsal efferent nucleus of vagus, tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons were in greater number than monoamine oxidase-A-stained or monoamine oxidase-B-stained neurons. The dorsal nucleus of raphe showed no tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity, but reacted positively to serotonin- and monoamine oxidase-B antibodies, while monoamine oxidase-A staining was moderate. In none of the investigated brain areas did neurons exclusively react with monoamine oxidase-B antibodies without expressing monoamine oxidase-A in a few neurons, while in some areas neurons expressed both monoamine oxidase-A and tyrosine hydroxylase (locus coeruleus; dorsal efferent nucleus of vagus). The oculomotor nucleus stained only with monoamine oxidase-A antibodies, substantia nigra neurons reacted only with tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies. Glial staining in most of the brain areas examined seemed, with slight differences, to have the same intensity with monoamine oxidase-A and monoamine oxidase-B antibodies used. No glial staining was obtained with tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies.

Effect of monoamine oxidase inhibition on the regional cerebral blood flow response to circulating noradrenaline

The effect of an acute i.v. infusion of noradrenaline (NA) on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was investigated in the awake rat using [14C]iodoantipyrine as diffusible tracer. The contribution of vascular monoamine oxidase (MAO) to the efficiency of the enzymatic blood-brain barrier (BBB) to catecholamines was assessed by measuring the multiregional cerebrovascular response to circulating NA given alone or after i.v. administration of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, clorgyline. Since i.v. infusion of NA elevates blood pressure, the influence of NA on the cerebrovascular bed was first studied by determining the relationship between rCBF and the mean arterial pressure (MAP). When the MAP was only slightly increased (to approximately 130 mm Hg), a trend to flow decrease under NA infusion was observed. Secondly, we compared the effects of NA on rCBF in animals treated or not treated with clorgyline. This was performed under moderate hypertension (within the 'autoregulated' range of MAP) to avoid any risk of mechanical damage to the BBB. Clorgyline administration alone did not significantly modify rCBF, but the subsequent i.v. infusion of NA induced an increase in rCBF (weighted mean 14%) in all structures investigated. The differences being statistically significant (P less than 0.05) in 5 out of 13 structures by up to 20%. Compared to studies involving disruption of the morphological BBB in which plasma NA elicits a widespread important increase in blood flow, the weak cerebrovascular effects we observed provide indirect evidence for the efficiency of the BBB to catecholamines in the conscious rat within the autoregulated range of arterial pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The handling of five amines by the extraneuronal deaminating system of the rat heart

The handling of five amines by the extraneuronal deaminating system was studied in perfused hearts of rats (pretreated with reserpine; COMT and neuronal uptake inhibited). Hearts were perfused with 50 nmol/l 3H-noradrenaline for 30 min, in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabelled (-)-adrenaline, (-)-noradrenaline, dopamine, tyramine and 5-HT. IC50's were determined as those concentrations of unlabelled amines which halved the steady-state rate of deamination of 3H-noradrenaline. After correction for changes in the tissue/medium ratio for 3H-noradrenaline, "half-saturating outside concentrations" were obtained. They increased in the order (-)-adrenaline (15 mumol/l) - tyramine - dopamine - noradrenaline - 5-HT (53 mumol/l). The Vmax for extraneuronal deamination was determined for 3H-(-)-adrenaline, 3H-(-)-noradrenaline and 3H-dopamine, as well as (by HPLC and electrochemical detection) for tyramine and 5-HT. It was low for (-)-adrenaline, intermediate for (-)-noradrenaline, dopamine and 5-HT, high for tyramine. For the three catecholamines the half-saturating outside concentrations of the extraneuronal deaminating system clearly exceeded those for the extraneuronal O-methylating system of the same organ (see Grohmann and Trendelenburg 1985), although the two enzymes appear to co-exist in the same cells, so that the same transport system is involved.